Paris monuments. The top twelve.

A detailed review of the greatest monuments in Paris. The most visited are Notre Dame (13.6 million visitors in 2015), the Sacre Coeur (10), the Louvre (8.4), Versailles (7.4), the Eiffel Tower (6.9), Centre Pompidou (3). The iconic Eiffel Tower is the most famous Paris monument. Versailles Palace, commissioned by Sun King, is probably the most famous palace in the world. The Louvre is both a great monument and the world's largest art museum. The massive Arc de Triomphe at the top of Champs Elysees Avenue was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon. Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte Chapelle, Sacre Coeur are fabulous Paris churches. Fondation Louis Vuitton, by Frank Gehry, Centre Pompidou are great contemporary monuments in a city where past and present generally go together well. Students, teachers, lovers of the City of Lights, lovers of history and monuments, learn more about the city through Paris monuments quiz level 1. Sightseeing in Paris.

Eiffel Tower, the iconic monument

Completed in 1889 for Paris' world exhibition, the Tour Eiffel - Eiffel Tower in English - was designed and built in just two years by 132 workers and 50 engineers. At 300 meters, it remained the world tallest monument until 1930 when the Chrysler Building was completed in New York City.

Due to the addition of a broadcasting aerial at the top in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 meters and the tallest monument in the city. It is also the world's most visited paid monument. Detailed Eiffel Tower facts.

Visit the Eiffel Tower monument on your own or as part of a city guided bus tour. There are many options.

The Eiffel Tower was build in 1889

Versailles, the royal monument

If you come to the city for at least two days, visit Chateau de Versailles. Sun King commissioned it in 1668 and had exceptional taste. The famous Hall of Mirrors, the Petit and Grand Trianon, Versailles Gardens, the Grand Canal, are marvels that were imitated many times. It takes half a day and only 56 euros to visit Versailles on a tour from Paris. Do avoid Tuesdays when Chateau de Versailles is crowded. If you want to go on your own, consider public transport for the Paris to Versailles trip. Chateau de Versailles information.

Versailles was commissioned by King Louis XIV

Notre Dame, the christian monument

Built in 13th century, Notre Dame Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the top monuments from the Middle Ages in Europe.

Notre Dame was built between 1163 and 1270. A pure treasure, Notre Dame is not just a wonderful monument. Fervent Catholic masses and beautiful concerts give Notre Dame its full dimensions. Notre Dame Cathedral facts.

Notre Dame is the most visited monument in the city ahead of the Eiffel Tower and Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre.

Check page on churches in Paris. They are among the best monuments of the city and are often open for free visits.

Arc de Triomphe and Napoleon

Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous Paris monuments. A legacy of Emperor Napoleon, it is the rallying point of French troops parading down the Champs Elysees on Bastille day, July 14th, the French National Day. Arc de Triomphe is a memorial dedicated to the French soldiers who died during World War One. The view from the top of Arc de Triomphe over the twelve radiating avenues from it and the whole city of Paris is spectacular.

Centre Pompidou, a 1977 monument

Centre Pompidou is the most spectacular 20th century monument in Paris. It was designed in 1977 by architects Renzo Piano from Italy and Richard Rodgers from the UK to make art and culture accessible to everyone.

Its factory style architecture contrasts with the surrounding houses of Paris' oldest district between Notre Dame, Louvre Museum and Le Marais. Many parisians refer to Centre Pompidou as Beaubourg. Centre Pompidou information.

Fondation Louis Vuitton monument

The Fondation Louis Vuitton is the most beautiful monument in the city of lights since the Eiffel Tower. The contemporary pieces of art on display are at pain to match the marvelous building designed by Architect Frank Gehry, a Pritzker prize winner living in Los Angeles. Franck Gehry is most of all known in Europe for the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.

Inaugurated in October 2014, the Fondation Louis Vuitton instantly became a must see monument in Paris, a city already so rich with palaces, churches and civil architecture.

Created and financed by the LVMH Group (Louis Vuitton, Dior, Guerlain, Moet & Chandon, Hennessy), the Fondation Louis Vuitton encourages and promotes artistic creation both in France and internationally.

Tour of best Paris monuments

We recommend you this full day Paris tour to see Paris monuments (Notre Dame, Louvre, Opera Garnier, Arc de Triomphe, Invalides, Sacre Coeur) and the most famous districts in town: Le Marais, Champs-Elysees, Montmartre.

Lunch at Eiffel Tower. Seine cruise to admire famous monuments from the river. See guided tour details

Other Paris monuments

The city has many other great monuments. Among them:

BNF, the 20th century French national library, the largest contemporary monument on the banks of the Seine river.Palais de Chaillot, a 1937 must do for its spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower and its museums.Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, a sanctuary to the Virgin attracting two million pilgrims each year.Hotel de Ville, 19th century Paris City Hall, the replica of the original renaissance building destroyed in 1871Grande Arche, the spectacular 20th century white arch in La Defense business districtParis Mosque, built in the 20th century as a tribute to the many muslims soldiers who died during WW1

La Conciergerie was a royal palace

Best monuments near Paris

The Paris region is rich with incredible monuments of the past that you can all easily visit in half a day or a full day from Paris by car, train or bus: